Mark Stoops Joins Texas Football Staff as Special Assistant to Steve Sarkisian

Updated March 2, 2026, 5:36 pm ET — Former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has accepted a position as a special assistant to University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, according to CBS Sports. This move comes after Stoops’s 13-year tenure at Kentucky concluded following the 2025 season.

A Return to the SEC for Stoops

Stoops, the winningest coach in Kentucky football history, will bring over three decades of coaching experience to Austin. During his time with the Wildcats, he compiled an 82-80 overall record, leading the team to seven winning seasons and four bowl victories. Kentucky Today reports that Stoops was fired in December 2025.

Sarkisian Continues to Assemble Experienced Staff

Steve Sarkisian has a history of bringing in experienced coaches to his staff. Paul Chryst and Gary Patterson have previously served as special assistants under Sarkisian. Patterson recently accepted the defensive coordinator position at USC. Longhorns Wire notes that Stoops’s expertise is expected to be particularly valuable on the defensive side of the ball.

Financial Implications of Stoops’ Departure from Kentucky

Kentucky owes Stoops approximately $38 million, which will be paid out in quarterly installments through April 2031. The remaining annual payments will total $6.75 million per year. The Lexington Herald-Leader details that Stoops’s contract with Texas is not subject to mitigation, meaning his earnings with the Longhorns will not affect the payments he receives from Kentucky.

Looking Ahead for Texas Football

The addition of Stoops comes as Texas prepares for the 2026 season and aims for a return to the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns will also look to build on the progress made by Heisman Trophy candidate Arch Manning at the finish of the 2025 season.